Ankle support and protector.



H. J. GOLLIS. ANKLE SUPPORT AND PROTECTOR. APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 1909.

1,037,441. Patented Sept. 3,1912.

ewes: 7 J6 COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH 60.. WASHINGTON, D. C.

HENRY JAMES COLLIS, OF TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ANKLE SUPPORT AND PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

Application filed. May 4, 1909. Serial No. 493,869.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY JAMES CoLLIs, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Taunton, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ankle Supports and Protectors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for supporting and protecting ankles, and it has special relation to an improved device of this class which is adapted for use in athletic sports and under all other conditions and circumstances where a protection and support is desired for the ankle.

The object of my invention and improvements is to provide a simple and improved ankle support and protector which will readily conform to the shape of the ankle and yieldingly bear upon the same at all parts, thus affording particular adaptability, co1nfort and effectiveness in use, and which will furthermore be exceedingly simple and inexpensive in construction and more convenient and efficient than the merely pliable devices of this character which have been heretofore employed.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the device when in use. Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the inside features of the device. Fig. 3 is a side view illustrating the portion of the device which carries the tongue member, parts being broken away to show the construction. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view, taken on the line m-w, Fig. 2.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same reference characters.

Referring to the drawings, 11 designate the front members of the device, which are constructed of a soft pliable but non-elastic material, such as leather. These front members are constituted by an outer or face strip, 2, and an inner or rear strip, 3, suitably secured together, preferably by stitching, as at 4. The front edge of the front members 1 is curved, as at 5, to conform to the front of the ankle portion of the foot, and these front members carry the fastening means by which the device is conveniently secured and maintained in position, such fastening means preferably consisting of a series of eyelets, as at 6, forming openings through the member 1 adjacent the front edge 5 and receiving a suitable lacing, as at 7. The front members thus constitute the retaining portion of the device, which is soft and pliable but non-elastic. The rear edges, 8, of the front retaining members 1 are preferably on a straight plane from top to bottom, while the bottom edges, 9, are preferably on a straight plane from front to rear and at right angles to the rear edges 8, and said front members are of sufficient dimensions to constitute strips, of the character specified and herein shown, at the front of the device.

The main body of the device, 10, consists of an elastic strip, preferably formed of elastic webbing or other suitable material, in band or ribbon shape and extending between the rear edges 8 of the non-elastic front retaining members 1. This elastic body band 10 is adapted to pass around the ankle of the wearer and conform thereto when the device is in use and bind at all parts of the ankle, thus effectively supporting and protecting the same and maintaining its position by action of the frontretaining members 1 and the fastening means carried thereby. The main body band 10 preferably corresponds in width, from top to bottom, to the dimensions of the front members 1 from top to bottom, and has straight top and bottom edges, as at 11 and 12.

A supplementary elastic strip, 14:, forms the bottom portion of the device and constitutes an additional securing means adapted to pass under the instep of the wearer on a plane directly beneath the front securing members 1. This elastic bottom strip 14 is preferably constructed of elastic webbing or other suitable material, and is in band or ribbon shape corresponding to the main elastic body strip 10.' Said strip 14 extends between the bottom edges 9 of the front retaining members 1 and preferably corresponds in width, from front to rear, to the width of the bottom portion of the front members 1 from front to rear and has straight front and rear edges, as at 15 and 16. The elastic bands 10 and 14: are thus at right angles to each other, forming an elastic body for the complete device, and the relative construction and arrangement provides an open space, as at 17 between the bottom of the main body band 10 and the rear of the bottom instep band 14, through which projects the heel of the wearer, though it will be understood that under some circumstances of use the bands 10 and 14 may be-constructed in a single piece or to form a closed heel portion. The front edges, 18, of the band 10 are inserted and secured be tween the face and inner strips 2 and 3 of the front retaining members 1 at the rear edges 8, preferably by means of the stitching 4-, while the top edges, 19, of the band 14iare correspondingly inserted and secured between the strips 2 and 3 at the bottom edges 9 of the members 1, but the inserted edges of the bands 10 and 14; do not extend entirely between the face and inner strips 2 and 3 of the members 1, whereby the soft and pliable characteristics of the retaining members is not impaired.

It will be noted that all parts of the device which contact with the ankle and instep or sensitive parts of the foot are elastic and yielding, to insure comfort and effective conformation to the shape of the parts surrounded by the elastic bands, while the pliable non-elastic portion constituting the retaining members which carry the bands and the fastening means contact only with the front portion of the foot and by reason of the relative construction and arrangement are sufliciently soft and pliable to avoid any impairment of ease or comfort and desired flexibility in the use of the device in athletic sports or for other purposes. The relative construction and arrangement as above described, in which the body portion of the complete device is entirely elastic and yielding and only the front retaining portion is non-elastic, adapts the device to effective use on ankles of different size and affords a wide range of adjustability to variable conditions in use.

The relationship of the elastic body members 10 and 14 and the front retaining strips 1, as above described, is such that the main body strip 10, which surrounds the ankle and is located with relation to the long rear edge 8 of the members 1, is considerably wider than the bottom strip 14, which passes under the instep and is located with relation to the short bottom edge 9 of the front members 1.

A tongue, 20, is provided at the front retaining portion of the device, so that it extends beneath the lacing or fastening means. This tongue preferably consists of a strip of soft pliable leather or other suitable material, and it is secured at one of its side edges and thus constitutes a laterally-projecting flap. The tongue is secured in such a manner that the smooth and flat inner surface of the front retaining members 1 will not be impaired, so that there will be no heavy seams or projections to bear against the front of the foot of the wearer and so that the fastening means bear against the tongue. In thus providing a soft and pliable tongue connection, the inner or rear strip 3 of one of the members 1 is provided with a slit, as at 21, extending diagonally '3 is secured.

and adjacent the front edge 5 and in rear of the eyelets 6, and in this slit is inserted an extension, 22, at the central portion of the side edge of the tongue, which extension thus projects into the space between the inner and face strips 3 and 2. The extension 22 is secured to the inner strip 3, preferably by stitching, as at 23, whereby the tongue is retained in operative position. It will be noted that the face and inner strips 2 and 3 are unsecured except at their edge portions, thus leaving a free space at the middle portion where the slit 21 is formed in the inner strip 3, and preferably the tongue is not secured to the outer or face strip 2, and thus the inner strip 3 is free and pliable at the portion which carries the tongue in rear of the slit .21 whereby a maximum flexibility in the movement and operation of the tongue and said inner strip By this improved construction, the tongue is practically an extension of the inner strip 3 and the slit 21 therein enables a free and flexible movement of the tongue and portion of the inner strip 3 which carries the same, with relation to the face or outer strip 2, and it will be understood that under some conditions of use the tongue 20 may be formed as an integral part of the inner strip 3, thus obviating the stitching at 23. The extension 22 extends only at the central portion of the side edge of the tongue, and the top and bottom portions of the tongue are left free, as at 2e, thus enhancing the flexibility of the tongue and providing for its full operative protection at the top and bottom of the device.

The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood. The improved construction provides a maximiun of comfort, convenience and simplicity, and enables a wide variable employment of the device, according to particular conditions and circumstances of use, upon ankles of different size, and by reason of the improved construction and arrangement of the elastic members it conforms to all parts of the ankle and the instep and effectively supports and protects such parts at all points. In the usual employment of ankle supporting and protecting devices of this character, the device is worn inside the shoe and over the stocking, but this improved device is, by

reason of its extreme flexibility and elasticity, especially adapted to be worn beneath the stocking or otherwise employed as may be preferred by the user.

Having thus described my invention, I

flexible non-elastic front strips embodying a face strip and an inner strip secured together and constituting retalning members,

said retaining members being provided with fastening means at their front edge, a body portion consisting of strips Wholly of elastic fabric or webbing and having their ends connected with the edges of said front strips, the inner strip of one of said retaining members being provided with a slit, and a tongue flap having an extension at one of its side edges and inserted in said slit and secured only to said inner strip, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. An improved ankle support and protector, comprising flexible non-elastic members embodying a face strip and an inner strip at the front, said members being secured together and provided with fastening means at their front edge, a body portion in connection with said members and com prising parts adapted to surround the ankle and pass under the instep, the inner strip of one of said front members being provided with a slit, and a tongue flap having an extension at one of its side edges and inserted in said slit and secured only to said inner strip, substantially as and for the pur pose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

HENRY JAMES COLLIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

